Students clash over #Walkaway event

Chico State says it will defend free speech
by Leslie Layton | Posted November 22, 2019

photo by Karen Laslo
A student protester sat alone this morning before more students gathered.

Chico State staffers were gathering this morning on a campus walkway in an effort to prevent any more altercations over the tactics of the campus Republican club. But today, instead of noisy protesting, a video posted on social media showed a group of protesters dancing to music as they faced the club’s booth.

The campus newspaper The Orion reported an altercation or altercations had occurred earlier in the week as the Republican club promotes its #Walkaway event that will bring controversial speakers to campus this evening. The club had erected two booths on the walkway by Meriam Library this morning, where they had hoisted multiple American flags, a Blue Lives Matter flag and a pro-Trump banner. read more

Struggling to find hope at Yuba County Jail

Chico activist visits a third immigrant detainee, one of a trio of "castaways"
by Chris Nelson | Posted November 18, 2019

jail photo from Faithful Friends

The man I met during a late October visit to the Yuba County Jail has a kind face, wears glasses and has a neat, graying hairstyle. He was the third inmate I’ve met through a visitation program run by Faithful Friends, a group that arranges visits for immigrant detainees.

As a nurse, I know that anecdotal information does not make a truth. Yet, I’m struck by the similarities among the three men I’ve visited, and I see truth emerging through the presence of these castaway humans.

The first man I visited was in his 40s and facing deportation to Vietnam. He grew up in a two-parent home in a poor neighborhood and was bullied at school for being different. read more

Community members mourn, commemorate

On one-year anniversary of #Camp Fire, Butte County residents gather to remember
by ChicoSol staff | Posted November 9, 2019

photo by Karen Laslo

Marge Nelms (left) holds a picture of her best friend of 46 years, Lolene Rios, who died in the Camp Fire one year ago today, as area residents gathered for minutes of silence in Chico’s City Plaza. Today’s ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the deadly Camp Fire, which killed at least 85 people, was organized by the Chico Area Interfaith Council.

Mayor Randall Stone presented a proclamation in the days prior to the Nov. 8 anniversary that was included in part today that reads: “…Our collective efforts require us to listen to each other, to care for one another… This is the essence of hope. … “ read more